Your Facial Skin Care Routine for Mature Skin
Facial skin care is especially important for mature skin. No one can completely avoid the aging process, but you can easily postpone it or slow it down considerably by following a simple wrinkle treatment program.
1. Clean your face every day. No matter how old you are, every day dirt and pollutants build up on your face and they need to be cleared away, perhaps even twice daily. Use a cleaner made for dry or sensitive skin.
2. Exfoliate. Exfoliation simply means wiping away the dead surface skin cells to make way for fresh new ones so your face looks younger. Look for an exfoliant designed for sensitive skin; these will be gentler so you can use them every day if you feel the need.
3. Wear a moisturizing mask. It’s amazing the difference wearing a mask can make, even if you only wear it for ten minutes every week. Your face will look and feel years younger.
4. Moisturize. As we age, the dermis layer of the skin makes less collagen, so your face loses elasticity. That’s when dryness sets in, along with lines and wrinkles. Apply a moisturizer every day and every night. Good moisturizers will have such ingredients as Vitamin E, alpha hydroxyl acid, retinol and a sunscreen.
5. Eat right. Your body needs whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables in order to function. If you are eating the right foods, it will show in your skin. Likewise, if you eat the wrong foods. Look especially for foods rich in vitamin A, B-complex vitamins and essential fatty acids.
6. Drink plenty of water. Your skin needs water, especially in your face. Drink at least eight 8 oz glasses every day.
7. Stop smoking. Many studies have proven that smoking accelerates skin aging. Yet another reason to give up the habit.
8. Wear sunscreen. If your daytime moisturizer does not have sunscreen, be sure to apply some every time you go outside. It should have an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 to be effective.
9. Relax. Tension shows up in your face as fine lines and wrinkles. When you feel anxious, take a few minutes for yourself. Close your eyes and take several long, slow deep breaths. Say to yourself Relax. Let all the tension release from your forehead, your eyes and your jaw.
10. See a dermatologist. If you have rashes, eczema or other skin conditions, see a dermatologist, so that they can be accurately and thoroughly treated without causing further damage. The dermatologist can create a wrinkle treatment program especially for your needs.
11. Don’t use soap and water. Soap is notoriously drying on your face. If you do get soap on your face, rinse it off thoroughly with warm water. Pat your skin dry, don’t rub it.
Wrinkles are a part of the aging process. Wrinkle treatment thus needs to be part of your everyday hygiene regimen. By taking these easy steps, even if you can’t be younger, you will definitely look younger.
Wrinkle Treatment: Collagen or Botox?
With all the anti-aging skin programs it can be difficult to choose which is best. Treatments include injections that can fill in the wrinkles. The two main contenders are collagen and Botox. So, which is better for you?
Botox, which is actually botulinum toxin type A, is injected into the facial muscles to relax them, thus erasing fine lines and wrinkles. It has few side effects and a typical Botox treatment will cost between $300 and $400, depending on how many injections are needed. A Botox treatment will need to be repeated at least every six months to maintain results.
Collagen is a protein that is produced in the dermis layer of the skin. However, as we age, the dermis produces less of this protein, so the skin becomes less elastic and fine lines and wrinkles appear.
Collagen can be injected into facial tissues to fill in those wrinkles. The collagen can be taken from cows or other animals (such as Zyderm and Zyplast), or from human sources (such as CosmoDerm or CosmoPlast. Those from animal sources generally cost less but some people are allergic to it. (A skin test is generally given before an injection procedure to determine if the patient has such an allergy.
Collagen is generally more expensive than Botox. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, collagen can cost about $780 per procedure, depending on the brand of treatment used.
Which is better for you? That depends. Some patients prefer Botox because it is less expensive. It is also a popular treatment. There are even Botox parties: several patients gather at someone’s home and have their treatments administered there. They have fun and leave looking younger.
Other people, however, are bothered by the idea of injecting botulism toxin, a poisonous substance, into their faces to paralyze them. The long-term effects of such a procedure are largely unknown. Further, if done incorrectly, a Botox treatment can freeze your face into an odd expression, leaving you with raised eyebrows, stiff lips etc.
On the other hand, collagen is more expensive and potentially allergic (if the collagen is derived from animals). Collagen is intriguing because in addition to treating wrinkles, it can also be used to correct acne scars and under-eye circles. It can also be used to make your lips fuller and more attractive.
Collagen injections can stimulate the bodyís own collagen production and relieve arthritis pain and replenish lean muscle mass. However, it may take several months for the effects of collagen injections to be noticeable.
It is best to consult a reputable dermatologist to determine which procedure best meets your needs. Determine how much your budget can afford and whether you want instant results or can be satisfied with a procedure that takes more time to notice.
A high-quality wrinkle treatment can be worth the time and expense if looking younger is important. By choosing either of these procedures, you can erase years of wrinkles and be the envy of your friends.
